What is Menopause?
Jersey City
February 21, 2025
Hi there!
Someone recently asked if I worked with women in perimenopause. That question caught me a bit off guard and I realized that there was some confusion with the term menopause. What does it mean? I thought I’d take this opportunity to clarify.
(BTW - I do work with women in perimenopause.)
When I went through menopause a few decades ago, perimenopause wasn’t even a word. This stage in a woman’s life was simply known as menopause. There was no distinction between the 3 stages of menopause.
Technically, perimenopause is the time leading up to menopause. It is when you first experience symptoms and your period may become irregular. This can last up to 10 years.
Menopause is a one-day event. When you haven’t had your period for 1 full year, you are considered in menopause. After that one day you are in post menopause - forever!
This is why I like to talk about the menopause journey. You can be anywhere from perimenopause to post menopause and still be on your menopause journey.
Most of the challenges happen in perimenopause. The one day of menopause is a blip and by the time you are in post menopause most of your symptoms have subsided. Maybe not all, but most.
I think it was less confusing back in the day when everything was lumped into one term – menopause.
I hope that helps. And no matter where you are on your menopause journey, if you have questions, reach out to me. I can answer your questions and\or create a plan specifically for you to manage your symptoms. Starting in March you’ll also be able to get free info and support at the menopause meetup.
The monthly JC Menopause Meet Up is a great way to have access to me and other menopause experts and to get free advice. Please join us. We’ll meet once a month in person and it’s free! I have invited speakers who are trained and knowledgeable about their area of expertise and we’ll have different topics to discuss monthly.
But I could use your help. If there’s a topic that you would like to talk about, let me know. Reply to this email. Here are some of the topics coming up:
· Why menopause is different. It’s your menopause.
· Sleep solutions with a CBT trained therapist.
· Why strength training is critical and what you can do.
· Menopause doesn’t only affect you. It affects your partner.
These are some of the coming attractions. Please help me add to this list. I want this community to be about you, so your input is important.
Mark your calendar. Tell your friends. Help spread the word! I’ll see you March 11th at 6:30. It’s free but please register at JC Menopause Meet Up.
Be well,
Laura
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And more...
· Saw this article in the NYT about testosterone and women in menopause. Interesting but keep in mind, every woman is different. My advice is to talk to your doctor. I’m just happy that it’s being discussed.
· Have you ever wondered whether companies that say their products are sustainable are telling the truth? Making something sound like it’s sustainable when it’s not, is called “greenwashing”. This is an article about how you can spot the fakers.
· I believe women in menopause have earned the right to be authentically themselves. In this stage of life, we are wise women or badasses, which ever you prefer. If you want advice and inspiration from other wise women, check out the Wiser Than Me podcast with Julia Louis-Dreyfus. It’s on Spotify and all the other podcast platforms. My favorite is the interview with Isabel Allende. Enjoy!